Recognizing a lifetime of achievement

The Pindar Lifetime Achievement Award for 2025, presented by the International Association of Cape Horners, goes to Sir Robin Knox-Johnston KB CBE RD. Sir Robin, who lives in Portsmouth UK, has been inspiring sailors the world over since becoming the first person to sail solo non-stop around the world aboard his treasured 32ft 6in traditional wooden yacht Suhaili back in 1968/9

He is still inspiring newcomers. The Clipper Round the World yacht race has introduced some 20,000 amateur crews to the sport since he co-founded the event in 1996. And this year, at the age of 86, he led old friends on a cruise to Greenland and back.

One circumnavigation was never going to be enough. Sir Robin has completed three, and also competed in the 1977/8 Whitbread Round the World Race, skippering the British maxi yacht Heath’s Condor to elapsed time victories on legs 2 and 4

In 1993/4 he and Peter Blake co-skippered the 92ft catamaran ENZA New Zealand becoming the first to break the Jules Verne 80-day circumnavigation challenge with a record time of 74 days 22 hours 18 mins. Both he and Peter were awarded knighthoods for services to the sport shortly after.

During the 1990s, Robin chaired successive BOC Challenge Around Alone races, then after Clipper Ventures took over the event, re-naming it the Velux 5 Oceans Race, he decided to have another go at the age of 68 aboard a young man’s IMOCA 60 yacht aptly sponsored by Saga Insurance, and finished a very creditable 4th overall. In addition, he has completed some 20 transatlantic crossings and been voted British Yachtsman of the Year four times to become one of the most inspirational figures of his era.

Andrew Pindar, who presented the Award said, “It would hardly be a stretch to think of Sir Robin as the David Attenborough of sailing. Recognized and respected by a public of all ages who have enjoyed his exploits over a long and incredible nautical career.

Source: Barry Pickthall for the International Association of Cape Horners